Langkawi Island

Langkawi is an archipelago that consists of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, south of Thailand, 30km off the mainland coast of northwestern Peninsular Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia's Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi (Langkawi Island) with a population of some 100,000, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba.

Tourists flock here for the delightful beaches, superb resorts and refreshing nature-based activities. The best beaches include Pantai Cenang, Burau Bay, Pantai Kok, Pantai Pasir Tengkorak and Pantai Datai

Get in 

By Plane

Langkawi International Airport (IATA: LGK ICAO: WMKL) has direct connections to Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, plus some long-haul international flights in the high season. The modern terminal building provides basic facilities including ATMs, money exchange, and a range of transport services.

Most flights are with one of four airlines:

AirAsia - operates 5 flights daily from/to Kuala Lumpur. (Services to Bangkok have been terminated.) Cheap and efficient. AirAsia also operates 1 daily direct flight from/to Singapore (wef June 1 2009).

Malaysia Airlines - fly several times a day from/to Penang and Kuala Lumpur. They are not the cheapest, but prices are still normally reasonable. Direct flights to London have been terminated.

Silk Air - fly from/to Singapore twice daily. This is a short-haul version of Singapore Airlines. The prices are reasonable.

Firefly - is a newly launched airline which flies from/to Penang twice daily. This is a short-haul, lower service version of Malaysia Airlines. Prices start from RM9 excluding tax. Aircraft used are the Fokker 50 and ATR 72-500. All Firefly planes are new ATR 72-500. The Fokkers as been decomissioned.

Tiger Airways - started operations on 1st August 2009 and will fly from/to Singapore. This is a budget airline.

By boat

From Malaysia

But many still prefer the more adventurous crossing by fast air-conditioned boats from Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah on the mainland. Some even take the special ferry services from Penang Island. The usual jump-off points are from Kuala Perlis (approx. 45 mins.) and Kuala Kedah (approx 90 mins.). The one-way fare from Kuala Kedah is RM23.00.

From Penang to Langkawi - Ferry trips average 3 hours each way. From Penang, 8.15AM and 8.30AM ferry trips but ask if the ferry stops at Pulau Payar to pick/drop passengers. Avoid the Pulau Payar one as it saves about 15-20 mins. From Langkawi, the ferry trips to Penang are at 2.30PM and 5.30PM. Price for return trip (you can have an open booking for the trip back - confirm while you are on Langkawi island later) is RM105 per person. You can park your car at the parking space in front of the Penang Clock Tower for RM12 for the 1st day and RM6 for subsequent days. It is safe to do so - guarded at night by the Chinese who take the parking fee from you.

From Southern Thailand

Four ferries daily between Satun and Kuah. Operated by Langkawi Ferry Services , Tel: +60-4-9661125/9661126 in Langkawi; +6674-730513 in Satun.

From Ko lipe, Thailand there are three speedboats per day: at 15.30, 16.00, 16.30 costing 128 Malaysian Ringit These boats dock at the south end of Pattaya Beach. Ferry Times Koh Lipe Thailand

Budget

For a taste of simple Malay-style breakfast, just walk up to a small stall opposite the Underwater World in the mornings and feast on the famous freshly-prepared banana leaf-wrapped nasi lemak (steamed rice in coconut milk). The price is most affordable at less than RM 2 for a pack. Go local and enjoy this with a glass of hot teh tarik or really good local coffee. This very unassuming stall is just simple and great (clean too!) The nasi lemak comes with curried beef, squid in chili, friend salted fish or chicken.

Restoran Fatimah near the Kampung Tok Senik Resort on the road to Ulu Melaka. Try this for really authentic Malay food. Their lunch spread is amazing - so amazing that they attract bus loads of Malaysian visitors. If you are bent on trying things local this is the place. Just enjoy the food and leave your cultural baggage and complaints behind as you will be in a totally different ambiance but friendly, nevertheless.

From : Wikitravel